2 Corinthians 4:17-18
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Above scriptures says that, while we are passing through trials or afflictions our attention must be on the things which are not seen, not on the things which are seen. We must understand that there are things which cannot be seen. Some people even some Christians believe only things that can be seen, they are oblivious to the realm of the spirit. Spiritual things are more real than the natural things. The things of the spirit are eternal and the things of physical world are temporary. The above scripture says that as a believer our attention must be on the things of the spirit.
How can we focus our attention to something which cannot be seen when the things that can be seen seem to be more real? For example while we are passing through a Sickness, the pain, the doctor’s report seems to be more real than the promises of God for divine health and healing.
If you are a Spiritual Christian, the things of the spirit are more real than the things of the natural. The stripes of Jesus must be more real than the pain and the doctor’s report. But if you are a Carnal Christian, the things of natural will be more real to you. Jesus said that my words are spirit and they are life (John 6:63) if we are living a life according to the word of God, we are living in the spirit realm.
The WORD of God become more real than the WORLD we live. The things of the spirit will be more exciting to you than the things of the World. We must live by FAITH not by sight. We need to have our eyes focused upon and ears tune in to the realm of the spirit. We need to see in the realm of the spirit. We need to hear in that realm. We need to talk, pray, sing and live in that mighty, eternal, all-things-are-possible realm. It is in that realm that God has given new birth to us. Answer to the affliction and the way to escape is from that realm.
We are the ambassadors of Christ (heaven) and are citizens and legal residents of the spirit realm (heaven), then let’s act like it. Let’s walk like it!, Let us live and operate in that realm to which we belong.
Satan wants us to focus our attention to the pain and doctor’s report so that the affliction will work against us. The affliction will not last for a long time if our attention is on the word of God and obedient to the voice of God. We must fight the good fight of faith to come out successful. It is very difficult to build our faith while we are passing through the valley of affliction, so don’t wait for the affliction to come into your life to turn your attention to the Word of God.
It is your decision to use the affliction to work for you or work against you. God will not violate your free will. God want you to prove the world that HIS WORD is all powerful and HE is with you, in you (John 14:20).
Romans 8:14 says that as many are lead by the Spirit of god are the sons of God
Further Study: Read Mathew 13Confession: I choose to live by Faith not by Sight (Five senses), so I fix my eyes not on the things that can be seen. I look at the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen will come to an end. But the things that cannot be seen will last forever.